[indolent]

I'm looking to get into bike riding this summer. I haven't really ridden bikes much since junior high (mid 20's now) so I don't know much about them. From reading on here, the Trek 7.3fx seems like a good bike in my price range. I'm mostly just planning on riding on paved or packed gravel trails.

I haven't test ridden any bikes yet, but I'm just wondering what other bikes I could look at when I go to the store. I'd specifically be interested in bikes from Cannondale, Raleigh, or Specialized, since Erik's here in MN offers free assembly and a tune up among other things.

Are any of bikes similar to the Trek 7.3 from these companies?

Would it be worth it to get one of these for the free assembly and other services Erik's offers?

The other option is that I'm fairly mechanical but don't really know anything about bikes. Would it be very hard to assemble the Trek myself or should I just have the LBS do it?

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[DieselDan]

First off, all of the manufacturers you list require dealers to assemble the product, or they will not honor any warranty claim.

Since I work at a Raliegh dealer, look at a Cadent FT1 or FT2 model. Our store offer one year of free adjustments, and Raliegh has a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork. The parts on the bike are warrantied for 2 years.

Shop the store as well as the bike. A good bike shop is worth more then the bike.

[SweetLou]

Your LBS will assemble the bike, it is part of their duties. Assembling a bike is not difficult, but if you were to do it from scratch, the price would be very high, since you'd need all the tools. Unless you mean to just assemble it from the shipping box.

So, don't worry about that dealership or line of bikes. Check out all the LBS's in your area. Find the LBS you like the most and buy from that one. Find the bike that either fits you the best or the one that you think looks the best. The bike business is very competitive and similar priced bikes will be of similar quality and have similar components.

There are many bike companies and trying to list them would take too long. When shopping tell the saleperson how you will be using the bike. If you like the flat bar, then you might say that you are interested in a flat bar road bike.

[tulip]

I like Jamis bikes alot. Try out all sorts of bikes and go with the one that is most comfortable.

[crisi13]

How much are you planning to ride and are you planning to do group rides? I ask because I refused to listen to the salesperson when I bought my Trek 7.2fx in February. I want to get into distance riding (charity rides and such) and be able to ride with groups. Now a month and a half later I am trading my hybrid in on a road bike. Just something to think about!!

[spinerguy]

Take a look at Cannondale's Bad Boy and the Specialized Sirrus Series.

I've owed the 7.2 fx, basic Sirrus and Sirrus Sport. These have similar feel and components.

[cerbeos]

I just bought a bike recently. I was actually considering the Trek 7.3FX until I ran into a Raleigh Route 66 at a LBS that he had on closeout. Got the bike for $450, which was $100 less than the Trek was going to run me, and I jumped all over it considering the Raleigh is a $800 bike to start with ><

I'd just say check around your LBS's for closeouts from last year.

[deraltekluge]

Would it be worth it to get one of these for the free assembly and other services Erik's offers?Assembly and a "tune-up" (first adjustment) should be included in the price at any LBS.

Notice that I did not say "free". It is something you pay for, but it should be included in the quoted price.